The American Mafia - Joe Catania

Two men named Joe Catania played important roles in the development of the American Mafia: "Joe the Grocer" and "Joe the Baker." Historians have generally linked the two -- as father and son or as uncle and nephew -- but the two men actually seem not to have been closely related.

Joe Catania the elder
c.1862 to July 22, 1902.
"Joe the Grocer"

"Grocer" Catania of Brooklyn is remembered inaccurately as the father of younger Mafioso "Joe Baker." No documentary evidence proves the two Catanias were at all related.

The elder Joe Catania, a green grocer by day, was among the earlier members of the Lupo-Morello gang. Catania was involved in a transatlantic counterfeiting operation overseen by Sicilian boss of bosses Vito Cascio-Ferro and locally by Lupo.

Catania home and grocery store on Brooklyn's Columbia Street

The popularly accepted story of his demise: Catania, 40, became drunk one night and began talking too much about the counterfeiting racket. He was eliminated as a Mafia disciplinary measure. Unaware of his link to Lupo's gang, police decided that Catania's murder was the result of an old-country feud, ended by imported killers.

Oft-repeated and erroneous legend says his corpse was discovered packed with sawdust inside a barrel at 73rd Street at the bay on July 23, 1902. That legend is the result of the confused memories of some 1900s New York journalists and the mixing of the Catania story with that of Benedetto Madonia (who was found in a barrel). A muddled 1909 news report referred to a murder victim named "Benedetto Catania."

News accounts of the discovery of Catania's body by four boys heading to the bay for an early evening swim do not mention a barrel. According to New York Times and Brooklyn Eagle articles, Catania was discovered within a potato sack lined with floor mats sewn into the shape of a large bag. His throat had been cut. His right thumb and forefinger were missing, authorities said, apparently the result of an earlier accident.

Police arrested Sicilian immigrant Vincenzo Troia for the killing of Catania, since the two men recently had quarreled over a debt. But Troia was let go when the old-country feud theory emerged.

Joe Catania the younger
1901 to Feb. 3, 1931.
"Joe Baker"

This Joe Catania rose to prominence within the Morello Mob in the 1920s and appears to have been technically a part of Ciro Terranova's well-connected Bronx-Harlem organization. He might also have worked with Dutch Schultz, as some of Terranova's more important men - like Danny Iamascia - were shared with Schultz.

Catania was arrested numerous times for assault, burglary and disorderly conduct in the mid-1920s, but the charges were repeatedly dropped. In 1928, Catania was one of seven known criminals in attendance at a Bronx banquet held in honor of Magistrate Vitale. The presence of the hoodlums led to Vitale's downfall and helped bring an end to the Jimmy Walker Administration in New York City.

By the outbreak of the Castellammarese War, around 1930, Catania was a major player. Evidence of his importance: When peace feelers were sent by Morello-backed mob boss Joe Masseria to Castellammarese field marshal Salvatore Maranzano, Maranzano stated that he could not end the war yet because Joe Baker still lived. (Catania had repeatedly disrespected Maranzano by brazenly hijacking the mob leader's liquor shipments.)

The 29-year-old Baker was shot six times in the head and body by a Maranzano hit squad at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 3, 1931, in front of 647 Crescent Avenue in the Bronx. He was rushed to Fordham Hospital, where he died.

With Terranova and his allies picking up much of the tab, Catania was given perhaps the most elaborate gangland funeral in New York history. The cost was estimated at $40,000, including a $15,000 solid bronze coffin (the cost of the coffin is obviously overstated). Forty cars were needed to carry the floral displays, the largest of which - a 13-foot-high creation bearing the words "Our Pal" - was purchased by Terranova.

Terranova was apparently deeply affected by the loss of Catania, who was his nephew (through his wife) as well as a trusted aide and friend. At the funeral home, Terranova reportedly put his hand on Catania's coffin and swore to avenge his death. Maranzano spies learned of this and attempted unsuccessfully to corner and eliminate Terranova at that site.